§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
[The Question was as follows:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are aware that trailers for "X"-films showing violent and vicious scenes are being shown during programmes specially designed for children, and whether they will take steps to prevent this practice.]
THE MINISTER OF STATE, HOME OFFICE (LORD WINDLESIIAM)My Lords, I understand that in a recent incident a trailer which had been given a "U" certificate provided certain scenes were cut was issued in error without those cuts having been made. The responsibility for preventing oversights of this kind rests with the local licensing authority. I am assured that steps have been taken by the authority concerned to prevent a recurrence.
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that partially helpful reply, may I ask him whether he is aware that the British Board of Film Censors, who are obviously against such a practice, have said, through their Secretary, that they have no power to prevent happenings of this kind and that local authorities are similarly circumstanced? If, for example, the cinema manager, or even the projectionist, decides to put one of these undesirable trailers in, he can do so. That is the kind of thing that has to be stopped.
§ LORD WINDLESHAMMy Lords, this was a most unfortunate incident. It has 1055 been thoroughly investigated by the Greater London Council—the licensing authority concerned—and by the British Board of Film Censors. The licensing authorities have powers to control what is shown in cinemas, and of course they take the advice of the Board. I understand that in the light of this incident and others the Secretary of the Board is holding talks with the trade to discuss the whole question of trailers for "X"-films being shown in performances of films which are mainly for children.
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, is the noble Lord the Minister aware that so far as big distributors and the British Board of Film Censors, and of course local authorities, are concerned, everyone is anxious to stop this sort of thing happening? But my information is that they have not the power to do so. If I send the noble Lord information which is in my possession, perhaps he will have a look at it to see whether further action can be taken by his Department.
§ LORD WINDLESHAMMy Lords, yes; I will certainly look at it. My information is that there is probably no lack of powers; the difficulty lies in reaching some understanding between the interested parties as to what is and what is not a reasonable standard.